Nursing Assistant - Medical Surgical

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Nursing Assistant provides care to adult and geriatric Veterans with varying levels of physical and mental conditions within the Medical-Surgical Unit at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. As an integral part of the nursing team, the Nursing Assistant has an impact on Veterans, visitors, coworkers, and other employees of the VA Medical Center and is expected to exercise judgment and to engage RN when necessary. Make a difference in the lives of our Veterans!

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the Nursing Assistant - Medical/Surgical include, but are not limited to: Provides personal hygiene care, including all types of baths, shampoos, oral care, denture care, and skin care to promote comfort and prevent complications. Assists with the use of bedpans and urinals; applying/maintaining external catheters, ostomy care for established and uncomplicated ostomies under the direction of the RN. Performs patient mobility tasks including turning, positioning, transferring, ambulating, and using assistive devices; escorts patients to procedures or tests. Takes and records vital signs and measurements; performs basic cardiac monitoring tasks such as placing telemetry equipment, checking leads/batteries, and alerting RNs to alarms. Prepares equipment and assists with simple clinical procedures such as sterile setups, oxygen administration setup, suction/vacuum setup, and positioning patients for bedside procedures. Maintains a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment by practicing medical asepsis, cleaning patient areas, handling soiled/clean linen properly, and applying ordered restraints or protective devices. Observes and reports changes in patients' physical, mental, and emotional status, including skin changes, drainage, airway patency, and safety risks; actively participates in hand-off communication. Responds appropriately in emergency situations (e.g., Code Blue, RRT, fire, disaster) and assists staff with interventions within NA scope. Documents all provided care, vital signs, activities of daily living (ADLs), intake/output (including drains and tubes), and ensures required information is communicated to the RN for the care plan. Work Schedule: Day/Night shifts (primarily nights), with every other weekend and rotating holidays Shift times are 0730-2000, 0730-1600, 1930-0800 and 2330-0800; with six 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift per pay period (bi-weekly) Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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